Tim Keller | January 16, 2011
We’re looking at the characteristics— also known as the “attributes”— of God according to the Bible. Most of our problems stem from not knowing who God is or forgetting who he is at the moment.
One of God’s attributes is that he is the creator of all things. We’ll explore this attribute in Psalm 8, written by David. We’re going to notice: 1) The wonderful thing David saw; 2) The frightening thing David felt; and 3) The amazing thing David learned.
When we forget that God is the creator of everything, we often stumble. Psalm 8 helps us understand God’s creation and our special place in it, resolving the tension we sometimes feel about our role in His plan.
1. David’s Surprising Discovery
David saw God’s grandness in the universe around him. This view of God’s creation makes Him the most important figure in our lives. When we see the world as a display of God’s wisdom and joy, it changes how we understand everything.
2. David’s Deep Struggle
David felt small compared to God’s grandness and asked, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” This feeling of insignificance is common today, especially when people don’t believe in a creator God. But David offers hope. By acknowledging that God cares for us, we can find joy and meaning in life.
3. David’s Amazing Insight
David knew that God values all people, creating us with the ability to think and make moral decisions. Stories about a medical resident, David, and Jesus show us that everyone has worth, even those society often overlooks. When we understand this, it changes our lives. We conclude with a prayer of thanks for God’s love and sacrifice.
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Tim Keller’s How to Find God set of three short books on birth, death, and marriage addresses these key milestones in your life and shows you how the Scripture teaches us to face each one with God’s help. They are books of pastoral care, designed for specific life situations you or someone you know will go through.